News & Features

Photo: U.S. NTDP defenseman and 2014 prospect Jack Dougherty is one of a handful of Ohio State recruits to decommit from that program after the firing of OSU head coach Mark Osiecki (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF)

Team USA finished with the most points at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, but Team Canada took home the gold medal after defeating the USA, 4-0, in the championship game.

Photo: Chicoutimi Sagueneens goaltender and 2014 prospect Julio Billia should be the starter in Chicoutimi now that last year’s starter, Christopher Gibson, has moved on (courtesy of Le guide de Montreal-Nord)

Canada's relative woes in recent international tournaments have largely been pegged to weaker than usual goaltending. But the tide may be turning for the Canadians, if the 2013 U18 WJC and Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament are any indication.

Photo: Victoria Royals defenseman and 2014 prospect Joe Hicketts was a draft pick of the BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks but elected to go the WHL route (courtesy of Derek Leung/Getty Images)

If good things can come in smaller packages, then Victoria Royals defenseman Joe Hicketts is the very embodiment of this adage. The 5'8”, 174-pound defenseman turned in a solid rookie season with the Royals, and has gotten his 2013-14 season and NHL Draft year off to a good start as a member of Canada's Ivan Hlinka squad.

Photo: Kingston Frontenacs forward and 2014 propsect Sam Bennett has taken home two gold medals in the past four months for Team Canada (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

While his Kingston Frontenacs teammate, Spencer Watson, was the scoring star for Team Canada at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, Canadian forward Sam Bennett managed to chip in some points of his own, as well as some solid prognosticating skills.